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We hadn't planned on going to the game, I know that sounds strange, but a noon game with a toddler that naps around that time just didn't seem like a good combination, however the excitement of being in Blacksburg got to us so we decided to take a chance.
We made the long trek to Lane Stadium and even if we hadn't remembered the way, you just had to listen and follow the noise! Game Day in Blacksburg is truly electrifying, there is no doubt about it. Even a noon game against a so-so team (yes, I recognize that for the first time in over a decade we might fall into that same category, but shush) had the town still decked in orange and maroon!
Once we learned there was a place to park our stroller we started our mission to find tickets. It's a bit of a long and crazy story, but let's just say in the end, we wound up getting into the stadium for free and we may or may not have gotten someone arrested for selling fake tickets. Never a dull moment!
Due to the aforementioned drama, we didn't really have specified seats, which was a-ok with us. Adam was so excited just to be in the stadium and to see the football team and the marching bands. It was a great moment for sure.
I might add that prior to our arrival the Hokies were down by quite a bit (I blocked the actual number from my memory) but after Adam started cheering, they didn't let another Duke point to be scored and racked up a lot of touchdowns! Go Adam and of course, go Hokies!!!!!!!!!
I love that we get to park our camper on what used to be the #1 hole of VT's golf course. I've mentioned it before that Andy and I had some of our very first dates on that golf course, so the fact that we now get to camp there and still hit some golf balls makes it the much more special when we visit.
We had a great set up and because we were there so early we were able to get the last spot giving us that much more room to spread out and more importantly, more room for Adam and Liddy to run around.
We enjoyed great fires in the evening and even made some friends. Adam is still talking about his new girlfriend, Kayla. They live not too far away so we are looking forward to getting together for play dates soon.
Since it was Homecoming weekend they had lots of events planned including a parade and an alumni tailgate at the new (well, ok 6 year old) alumni center and hotel. Adam loved the parade and while he got lots of waves and smiles from the sorority girls, Liddy seemed to solicit the most "oooohhs" and "aaaaahhhs." She did look adorable with her VT scarf.
The alumni tailgate was a highlight as well, of course anytime there is free food, free beer, free VT swag and live music you really can't go wrong. Bonus was that the alumni tailgate took place about 100 yards from our campsite, so we promptly moved from one tailgate to the next.
We didn't go too crazy with ours, just a few appetizers, a few frosty beverages and lots of football tossing and of course, golf ball hitting.
I think Adam and Liddy's first Hokie tailgate was a success!
The leaves had started to change, the sun was shining, and yet fall temperatures were in the air. It was Blacksburg at its finest. We got to campus just a little earlier than the parking lot was going to open, so while Andy started to prep the camper, I took Adam and Liddy for their first official walk around the duck pond.
After the morning car ride it was the perfect excuse to stretch our legs and to give Adam and Liddy their first glimpse of the beautiful campus.
Once we were able to set up camp, we made quick work of it (Adam has gotten to the point where he is actually quite useful for the set up, gotta earn his keep right?!) and were quickly off for a walk across campus to grab lunch at our favorite spot, Sharkeys.
We ate outside and it was obviously clear to our waitress that we were long time fans of the establishment (the multiple pictures we took and reminiscing about the happy hour specials, strong islands, and fried zucchini, likely gave us away!) and so before we knew it the manager was greeting us with souvenir glasses and beer cozies in honor of their recently celebrated 20th anniversary. We felt equal parts special and old. Ha!
After lunch we were happy to have the long walk back across campus to work off the sweet potato fries we devoured, and were even happier to snap our first photos of Adam on the drill field. I never take for granted the beauty of our campus and while I might be biased, I think Adam fits in perfectly!
Since the day we found out we were going to have Adam, I have been looking forward to the day when we could introduce him to one of the most wonderful places on earth, Virginia Tech.
Since the day we bought our camper I have been looking forward to the day when we could bring the camper to a football weekend at Virginia Tech.
Our first visit for Adam, the camper (and Liddy too!) was as wonderful as I had hoped it would be. There was something so special about introducing Adam to the place that brought Andy and I together. As I stood in line at Starbucks (still hard to get used to the fact that there are multiple Starbucks in Blacksburg now) waiting to pay for a chocolate milk for our son, I was overcome by this amazing feeling of gratitude for this place we called home for four year, and most importantly, gratitude for the place where Andy and I started this journey.
I knew immediately that this was going to be a memorable weekend!
We missed Oktoberfest at Wintergreen this year, but were happy to find out that Reston Town Center was hosting one the weekend we were camping at Bull Run. We had beautiful weather for it (though I wouldn't have minded a bit more of a chill in the air) and it was a great family outing.
Adam loved the live music and we found ourselves dancing to some great German songs. We enjoyed some German beers and sampled some food from various RTC restaurants. Adam was a fan of the chicken schnitzel on a stick from Clydes, ha!
The highlight of the day was Adam getting to sit in the driver's seat of a big fire truck! He was so excited and had fun chit chatting with the very nice fireman. He was even able to tell the fireman that the day before he had brought a fire truck to school for show and tell! It was a great moment for sure.
Love fun family activities like this!
Well, the nine year homework hiatus has come to an end (and goodness, has it really been nine years since I've been out of school!?) Adam has had a few assignments since starting Pre-School in September. Last week they worked on the letter "F" and he had his first show-and-tell experience bringing in his favorite fire truck to show his class.
This week they have been working on the letter "K" and on Tuesday he was sent home with his first real homework assignment. We had to work together to find five pictures that had things that started with the letter "K." I'm not going to lie, it was tough!
It was definitely a team effort and while Adam was a little distracted he did a great job taping the pictures to the paper and was able to tell us about all of the items we found.
It was due on Thursday, but let's be honest, he is my son, so we had it completed on Tuesday. ;)
The homework hiatus was nice while it lasted, but I'll admit, the school nerd in me was kind of loving it.
Our home base for all our fun apple picking, wine tasting, train riding weekend was the newly opened, Shenandoah River State Park. We really are lucky to live in a state that has been voted (multiple times) as having the best state run parks. They really are well done, clean, friendly, and offer great spaces to enjoy all the beauty that Virginia offers.
We were a few weeks ahead of full on fall colors, but we still saw some leaves that had started to change. The evenings were cool and made campfires (and sweatshirts!) necessary. It was a quick walk to the river and again, the views were spectacular.
The night sky was amazing with very little light pollution which made for beautiful starry nights. In the mornings we were greeted with views of the mountains and valley. Best part, it was a short 90 minutes away from home!
Score another one for the camper!
